Hey everyone, new to the forum but not the XJ platform, but I have a few questions in need some advice. I have a 98 sport with 4.0l and an Aw4. The jeep has been a bit of a pita lately. I just finished up the front pump seal change on the Aw4, and after getting the torque converter seated, tranny lined up and bolted up, along with all the connectors, crossmember and exhaust back in place, I realized that I forgot to put the upper dust cover in place between the block and bellhousing. Sorry for the long winded post, but the question I'm sure I know the answer to already is: Should I do it right and go back and take it all apart to install the plate or can I be lazy and leave it off? How necessary is the cover? Anyone not have one? What purpose does it serve other than keeping dust out?

Thanks everyone

 

Yes.

 

This raises a question I have had for sometime now Cruiser. Could this make just enough difference to put abnormal pressure on the thrust bearing even with an automatic I wonder?

 

Possibly.

I only ever had one vehicle without the spacer/plate on it.
Some lazy SOB left it out. Manual trans F350 with a 460.

Ate starters like crazy because the plate is what piloted the starters.

 

Good point, I didn't even think about that reality... The Starter. It needs the additional support also!

 

Thanks for the replies. I figured the plate was important mainly due to the thickness missing between the block and bellhousing. It was soul crushing to see it laying on the bench.

 

It has happened to all of us.